On what would have been Whitewater native, and avid hiker Norwin Watson’s birthday, more than 50 hikers, friends and family members gathered for an informal ceremony dedicating a boulder in his memory. The ceremony took place off of Esterly Road near Whitewater Lake State Campground.
Watson, a popular Ice Age Trail hike leader, passed away earlier this year after battling cancer. Watson was responsible for maintaining a one-mile section of the Trail near Esterly Road, and was involved in choosing the boulder and selecting the site on “his” section of trail for the location of the memorial rock.
On the rock, there is an inscription that reads, “To our good friend Norwin Watson, whose joyous spirit enhanced our hikes along this trail he so lovingly tended. The IAT Hikers, March 2017.”
Attendees shared their memories of, and experiences with Watson, and praised his kind spirit, outgoing personality and positive attitude. Following the speeches and anecdotes of friends and hikers, the family held a brief ceremony of their own around the rock. The group was quiet as they walked the trails back to toward road, then gradually departed for a casual luncheon in Whitewater – and more stories and memories to share.
Watson’s memorial rock was commissioned by the hikers. It is located beside the Ice Age Trail near Esterly Road, where the Trail leaves the access road, travels through the pines and enters the hardwood forest.
